sleeplessinpool
July 5th 2003, 01:39 PM
The Brokenhearted.
“The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit” (Psalm 34:18)
Its Friday morning here in the UK and have just got back from what for me was a sad shopping trip, the preparation shop for a farewell barbeque for my little brother as he prepares to emigrate to Australia. To say I am broken hearted at the thought of losing him at worse and at best not seeing him for a good many years would be a small understatement. Its for this reason that my verse this week has special appeal to me. This Psalm opens with praise to God because of His Goodness, much is said about the triumphs and blessings of Gods people. All through this Psalm the writer gives thanks to God and rejoices over the way his people have been delivered into times of danger and that thanksgiving reaches a mighty climax as he exclaims “they that seek the Lord shall not want any good thing”. But what about poor, dejected, afflicted sinners that are outside of the fold and yet desire to mend their ways and are concerned about their own needs? Is there any consolation for them?
In this verse we have the answer to our question. God sees them in their distress and is ever ready to step in to help. In relationship to them, two states are mentioned; a broken heart and a contrite spirit; these two often go together.
Here we have people who are in deep trouble, calamity has overtaken them and left shattered and helpless, but note, not hopeless. However, much really depends on who we react to the trouble, tragedies and trials in this life.
Sometimes as a result of tragedy, the heart can become hardened against God and a spirit of bitterness is born that over time matures into full and open rebellion. With others, it can be the total opposite; some can end up being softened by sorrow and become receptive to the message of salvation. Often when we are brought low we are more willing and able to listen, we become sensitive to the wooing of the Holy Spirit and conscious of the nearness of Gods presence.
When a man is cut off from loved ones and crushed under the load of grief, be can come face to face with reality. Life is then stripped of all its delusions. He finds out who his real friends are and who the false ones are. True values are the realized/discovered and he sees just how insignificant he really is, King David new this and said in Psalm 39:4-5 "LORD, let me know my end, and what is the measure of my days; let me know how fleeting my life is. You have made my days a few handbreadths, and my lifetime is as nothing in your sight. Surely everyone stands as a mere breath.”
It is during moments like these that many realize for the first time that life is a little more than just food and drink and the sorrowing spirit suddenly finds the scales are removed from their eyes and realizes their own real need.
It is often in the blackest hour we discover our most precious things. We cannot enjoy with wonder of the stars unless we are first prepared to step into the night. The child of God has been delivered from the darkness of sin and despair but he may often be led thought times of mental and spiritual darkness, which will result in his benefit. There is a wealth of meaning in the statement of Isaiah when he exclaimed “I will give thee the treasures of darkness” the stunning blow many not be taken as the signal that life has lost all its meaning and that there must now follow a constant lament of utter helplessness for the rest of the earthly pilgrimage. Rather, let it be the start of a new experience with God the God who can make all things work together for good.
Now take note of the wonderful language here. “The Lord is NIGH unto them” God is in close proximity to the wounded heart. He waits eagerly to see what the reaction will be to the trial; contrition or indurations, antagonism against God or acceptance of his offer of comfort and love.
When all self-asserting pride has been subdued and is replaced by humbleness of heart, then He comes to “save” us from our fears and deliver us from our sins. A melted heart is prerequisite for divine deliverance and Gods benediction. Then he becomes a “husband to the widow and a father to the fatherless”. Furthermore, He does not draw near to us to pay a fleeting visit to offer his condolences, as it the habit of humans. He comes to stay, “I will never leave or forsake thee.” What the Psalmist says in this promise is amplified by Jesus in his Sermon on the Mount, when he declared, “Blessed are they that mourn; for they shall be comforted” (Matt 5:4)
thanks for listening folks............more musings next week more of my material on www.biblicalthoughts.org.uk
yours in christ
SH
“The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit” (Psalm 34:18)
Its Friday morning here in the UK and have just got back from what for me was a sad shopping trip, the preparation shop for a farewell barbeque for my little brother as he prepares to emigrate to Australia. To say I am broken hearted at the thought of losing him at worse and at best not seeing him for a good many years would be a small understatement. Its for this reason that my verse this week has special appeal to me. This Psalm opens with praise to God because of His Goodness, much is said about the triumphs and blessings of Gods people. All through this Psalm the writer gives thanks to God and rejoices over the way his people have been delivered into times of danger and that thanksgiving reaches a mighty climax as he exclaims “they that seek the Lord shall not want any good thing”. But what about poor, dejected, afflicted sinners that are outside of the fold and yet desire to mend their ways and are concerned about their own needs? Is there any consolation for them?
In this verse we have the answer to our question. God sees them in their distress and is ever ready to step in to help. In relationship to them, two states are mentioned; a broken heart and a contrite spirit; these two often go together.
Here we have people who are in deep trouble, calamity has overtaken them and left shattered and helpless, but note, not hopeless. However, much really depends on who we react to the trouble, tragedies and trials in this life.
Sometimes as a result of tragedy, the heart can become hardened against God and a spirit of bitterness is born that over time matures into full and open rebellion. With others, it can be the total opposite; some can end up being softened by sorrow and become receptive to the message of salvation. Often when we are brought low we are more willing and able to listen, we become sensitive to the wooing of the Holy Spirit and conscious of the nearness of Gods presence.
When a man is cut off from loved ones and crushed under the load of grief, be can come face to face with reality. Life is then stripped of all its delusions. He finds out who his real friends are and who the false ones are. True values are the realized/discovered and he sees just how insignificant he really is, King David new this and said in Psalm 39:4-5 "LORD, let me know my end, and what is the measure of my days; let me know how fleeting my life is. You have made my days a few handbreadths, and my lifetime is as nothing in your sight. Surely everyone stands as a mere breath.”
It is during moments like these that many realize for the first time that life is a little more than just food and drink and the sorrowing spirit suddenly finds the scales are removed from their eyes and realizes their own real need.
It is often in the blackest hour we discover our most precious things. We cannot enjoy with wonder of the stars unless we are first prepared to step into the night. The child of God has been delivered from the darkness of sin and despair but he may often be led thought times of mental and spiritual darkness, which will result in his benefit. There is a wealth of meaning in the statement of Isaiah when he exclaimed “I will give thee the treasures of darkness” the stunning blow many not be taken as the signal that life has lost all its meaning and that there must now follow a constant lament of utter helplessness for the rest of the earthly pilgrimage. Rather, let it be the start of a new experience with God the God who can make all things work together for good.
Now take note of the wonderful language here. “The Lord is NIGH unto them” God is in close proximity to the wounded heart. He waits eagerly to see what the reaction will be to the trial; contrition or indurations, antagonism against God or acceptance of his offer of comfort and love.
When all self-asserting pride has been subdued and is replaced by humbleness of heart, then He comes to “save” us from our fears and deliver us from our sins. A melted heart is prerequisite for divine deliverance and Gods benediction. Then he becomes a “husband to the widow and a father to the fatherless”. Furthermore, He does not draw near to us to pay a fleeting visit to offer his condolences, as it the habit of humans. He comes to stay, “I will never leave or forsake thee.” What the Psalmist says in this promise is amplified by Jesus in his Sermon on the Mount, when he declared, “Blessed are they that mourn; for they shall be comforted” (Matt 5:4)
thanks for listening folks............more musings next week more of my material on www.biblicalthoughts.org.uk
yours in christ
SH